The nurse instructs the nursing assistant to encourage the client to use the incentive spirometer (IS). Which does the nurse provide to the nursing assistant as a rationale for using the spirometer postoperatively?

Question

1. Maintains venous return
2. Helps to re-expand the lungs
3. Stimulates intestinal motility
4. Decreases the blood pressure

Answer 1

2
2. Using the incentive spirometer (IS) involves inhaling; and, as the lungs fill with air, alveoli that collapse in surgery pop open from expansion of the chest wall. The nurse instructs the client on using the IS and delegates client encouragement to use the IS to the nursing assistant. In addition, IS promotes airway clearance by stimulating coughing and gas exchange as secretions are removed from the lungs.
1. Inhalation does promote venous return to the heart; however, promoting venous return in this manner is an uncommon reason for using IS with postoperative clients.
3. IS can indirectly stimulate intestinal activity and lower the blood pressure if im-proved airway clearance and gas exchange enables the client to ambulate.